NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – The Thiel College men's basketball team improved to 2-0 on the season Saturday with an 85-84 non-conference victory over the Muskingum Fighting Muskies during the second day of action at the Buzz Ridl Classic, hosted by Westminster College.
 
Thiel held a slim 2-point lead at halftime (38-36) but led by as many as 14 points with 7:12 remaining in regulation. However, Muskingum fought back and managed to tie the score (81-81) with 30 seconds left in the second half on Jarrell Marsh's 3-pointer.
 
Senior point guard Tyreik Burton (Lewes, Del./Cape Henlopen) gave the Tomcats a 2-point lead (83-81) on a jumper in the paint with just two seconds remaining. On the ensuing possession, Muskingum turned the ball over to freshman forward Tyrese Robinson, who went on to nail a pair of shots from the charity stripe to put the game out of reach.
 
Burton, who was named to the Buzz Ridl Team, led the Tomcats with 24 points and 10 rebounds to record his first double-double of the season. Burton made 8-of-15 shots from the floor, including 3-of-6 from 3-point range. He also made 5-of-6 from the foul line.
 
Josh Lumbus (Cleveland, Ohio/John Hay) scored 18 points to go along with seven rebounds while Nyric Gosley (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport) scored 14 points. Avril Campbell (Dumfries, Va./Potomac) chipped in with nine points.
 
Marcus Dempsey led the Fighting Muskies with 32 points. Marsh recorded a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds while Jacob Geller scored 11 points.
 
Thiel (2-0) will play its home opener Monday against Penn State Behrend. The non-conference game is scheduled to begin at Beeghly Gymnasium at 7 p.m.